wilcox



R.'L. WlLCOX.

FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. I917.

Patented Jun 3, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET R. L. WILCOX.

FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. 1917.

.1 ,305, 329. Patented June 3, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- R. L. WILCOX. FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17, I917,

ilatented June 3, 1919.

4 s SHEETS-SHEETS.

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RICHARD LESTER WILCOX, WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WATERBURY FARREL FOUNDRY AN DMACHINE COMPANY, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

FEED MECHANISM. I

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3, 1919.

Application filed March 17, 1917. Serial No. 155,553. 7

My invention relates to a new and im' proved feed mechanism, more especially of that type wherein articles are carried and presented to operating tools.

It is the object of this invention, among other things, to provide a feed mechanism of this characterthat is capable of either an intermittent feed at regular or irregular controlled intervals or may be entirely discontinued without interruption of the other mechanisms, as may be desirable.

'To these, and other ends, my invention conslsts 1n the feed mechanism, having certain details of construction, and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, inwhich like numerals of reference designate like parts in the several figures:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved mechanism, as attached to a header, or upsetting machine;

1 ig. 2 is a side view thereof with the balance wheels removed;

Fig.3 is an enlarged sectional" view of some of the parts, taken upon line.33'of Fig. 1; -1

Fig. i is an enlarged detail plan View of some of the operative parts of my improved mechanism Fig. 5 is an elevation thereof, with the bracket cap removed; I

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the trip latch and adjacent mechanism in two of theirrelative positions; and Fig.8 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the trip pin and adjacent mechanism. v

The invention is illustrated as applied to a header or machine for upsetting ends of -wire, thereby-producing bolts, screws, etc.,

form of machine, its construction and operationbeing adapted to any one of many other forms of. mechanism wherein articles are conveyed to operating tools.

In the drawings I have. designated a header of the usual type by the reference numeral 1, which is provided with a bed 8, a main shaft 2 having balance wheels 3-3 thereon, an auxiliary shaft 4, carrying the gear-5, into .theteeth of which mesh the teeth of a pinion upon the shaft 2, and through which motion is imparted to said auxiliary shaft, upon which is also fixed a disk 6, having a crank pin 7 therein.

Fixed upon one side of the bed 8 is a bracket 9, which is secured thereto by the bolts 10 that also secure a cap 11 to the bracket.

Mounted within the bracket 9 is a slide 12 that has a reciprocatory motion derived from the rotation of the disk 6 through a connection consisting of the head member 13, the yoke member 14, within which .is .slidably mounted a block 15 journaled upon the pin 7 and held therein by a nut 18 and collar 19, as is usual and a nut 16 threaded onto the shanks 17 and 20 of the head mem-,

rection.

Secured'to the slide12-against the shoulder 22 thereon is a cam plate 23 having a cam lip 24 thereon, the opposite ends of which are substantially parallel with an intermediate angular portion 25. s I

Pivotally mounted withina recess 26 in one side of the slide 12, is the trip latch 27 secured by the screw 28, said trip latch being provided near its lower outer edge with a rounded cam lug 29. A shoulder 30 in the recess26 provides a support for'the trip latch when in its down position, thereby limiting its downward movement. v

Mounted in the bracket 9, so as to have a movement at substantially a right angle to the slide 12, is a carrierslide 31, which is held against upward movement by the cover 82, through which is an opening 33.

Fixed to'the outer end of the carrier slide 31 is a plate 341, having a stop screw 35 threaded therethrough which impinges in the innermost position of said slide against a button 36 in the cover 32. Springs 37, secured at one end to a pin 38 in the plate 34, and at the other end to pins 39 in the bed 8, provide means for imparting movement to said carrier slide 31 in one direction, the extent of this movement being limited by the stop screw 35.

Adjustable within a slot 40 in the carrier slide 31 is a block 41, held in any of its adjusted positions by the nut 42 threaded upon the shank 43 of said block, and rotatably mounted upon a circular lug 44 upon said block is a cam roll 45, one face of which normally rests upon the upper surface of the cam plate 23, although this is not essential to the operation of the device. A stop screw 66 threaded in the carrier slide 31 abuts against the block 41 and prevents premature movement thereof within said slide in one direction.

During the movement of the slide 12 the cam roll 45 engages the angular portion 25 of the cam lip 24 and while traveling in one direction moves the carrier slide outwardly against the tension of theisprings 37 until the roll engages the shorter straight portion of the cam lip 24 in the other position of the carrier slide 31, at which time there is no movement to the carrier slide 31 in either direction. As the slide 12 moves in the opposite direction, the springs 37 move the carrier slide 31 inwardly until the stop screw 35 engages the button 36, this inward movement beingpredetermined to suit the character of the work operated upon and the relative location of the operating tools.

In the normal or inner position of the carrier slide 31 the cam roll 45 does not necessarily engage the longer straight portion of the cam lip 24, but it may if it is so desired. The shape of the cam lip 24 may be very materially changed within the spirit of my invention so as to provide, among other things, two or more inward feeds to the carrier slide 31 during a single reciprocation of the slide 12.

Mounted within the block 41 is a trip pin 46, which projects through the lug 44, and surrounding it within the body of said block is a spring 47, which exerts its tension so as to move said pin downwardly, which downward position is limited by the nuts 43 threaded upon the upper end thereof.

Slidably mounted in the bracket 9, at an angle to the slide 12, is a trip slide 49, which is held therein by a cap 54 and moved in one direction by a treadle through a link connection 51 therebetween, and in the opposite direction by a spring 52 secured at one end to a pin 53 in the trip slide 49, and at the other end to a stationary member. The upward position of the trip slide 49 is limited by a stop screw 55 threaded in a lug 56 therein and engaging a button 57 in the bracket 9. When the upper end of the trip slide 49 is in its down position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the trip latch 27 is also in its down position resting against the stop shoulder 30 and the upper edge 58 thereon is out of alinement with the top surface of the cam plate 23. When the trip slide 49 is in its up position the cam lug 29 upon the trip latch 27, during the movement of the slide 12, rides onto the upper end thereof and occupies a position wherein the straight edge 58 thereon is flush with the upper surface of said cam plate 23, as shown in Fig. 6.

If it is desired that the carrier slide 31 shall operate continuously, the treadle 50 is depressed and the trip slide 49 moved to its up position so that the trip latch 27 occupies the position substantially as shown in Fig. 6, at which time, as the carrier slide 31 moves outwardly, the lower end of the trip pin 46 rides onto the straight edge 58 of said trip latch, which forms a continuation of the top surface of the cam plate 23. To stopthe carrier slide, and through it the feeding op eration, the treadle 50 is released and the trip slide 49 moves downwardly through the action of the spring 52 and the trip latch 27 drops to its down position by gravity, and when the carrier slide 31 is moved outwardly, the spring 47 moves the trip pin 46 downwardly as soon as it is passed over the outer edge of the cam plate 23 and thereafter said pin rides against the straight outer edge of the cam plate 23 without imparting movement to' the carrier slide in either direction. The trip pin is held against said edge by the spring 37. Thereafter the slide 12 coir tinues its reciprocatory movement without imparting movement to the carrier slide 31.

To renew the feeding operation, the treadle 50 is depressed, which moves the trip slide 49 upwardly, and through it the trip latch 27 acquires a similar upward movement and the straight edge 58 thereon enthe trip pin 46, pushing it upwardly until the lower end thereof is flush with the top surface of the cam'plate 23, at which time the spring 37 moves the slide inwardly and the pin 46 is held against downward movement again by reason of the fact that it rides upon the top surface of said cam plate.

The particular mechanism for carrying the work to the operating tools may be in any one of many forms, depending in a large measure upon the character of the work and the manner in which it should be delivered and removed from said tools. One form of such mechanism is shown herein, wherein a finger 59 is fixed upon a studGO, rotatably mounted in the end of the carrier slide 31, around which stud is a spring 61, having engagement with a'fixed'pin 62 so as to'exert its tension to prevent the finger 59 from assuming a horizontal position, substantially as shown by full lines in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fixed in the bed 8 is a pin 63, so as to be in line with the lower edge of the finger 59. As the carrier slide 31 is moved against the tension of the springs 37, the spring 61 rotates the finger 59 around the axis of the stud 60, the bottom edge thereof riding against the pin 63, until it assumes a position substantially at right angles to said slide, this position being shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

An article, herein designated 64, to be operated upon, is placed in the fingers 59,

either manually or by automatic means, and at the next movement'of the carrier slide 31 is presented in front of the operating tools, one of which is designated herein by the numeral 65 through the finger riding against the pin 63, which causes it to assume the full line position shown in Fig. 3.

With the feed mechanism as herein shown, articles may be fed at will or in succession in timed relation to each other, without stopping the other parts of the header, thus enabling the header to be run continuously irrespective of the feed mechanism, and the article to be operated upon is always carried to the operating tools at the correct relative time. A material advantage is gained by allowing the operating parts of the header to maintain their momentum, instead of starting at each operation, as in a power press, as a greater power is obtained and there is less strain upon the machine and its operative mechanism, as when the machine is-started and stopped for each blow. Again, as the wheels, crank shaft, connection and gate are in continuous motion, a

vried to and from the operating tools, not

from a continuous roll of wire, but independently and separately. And again, even if a multiple blow header is used, the cam lip 2 L may be so shaped that the article to be'op'erated upon will be held in line with the tools to receive an operation. from each one of the blows. For example, the first 'blow may be ultilized for flattening an article and the second blow for embossing a fanciful figure thereon. L

There are minor changes and alterations that can be made within my invention, aside from those herein suggested, and I would therefore have it understood that I do not limit myselfto the exact construction herein shown and described, but claim all that falls fairly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I ment to said feed member; and means for yarying the relative position of said engaglng means, whereby movement of saidfeed member may be discontlnued.

9:. In mechanism of the character 'de-' scribed, the CODIblIrZtillOllWllill a feed 'mem' ber; of an operating member, having movement in a path at an angle to said feed member, each of said members being slidably mounted; a cam connected with one of said members; means connected with theother of said members and having engagement with the cam, for imparting movement to said feed member; and means for varying the relative position of said engaging means and said cam whereby movement of said feed member may be discontinued; 3

8. In mechanism of. thecharacter described, the combination with a feed member; of an operating membeighaving movement in a path at an angle to'said feed member, each of said members being slidably mounted; means between 7 said operating member and said feed member for transmitting'motion from one member to the other; and-means for actuating said latter means, whereby the movement of one of sald members will be discontinued.

4. In mechanism of the character described, the combination withafeed mechanism; 'of i an operating member havmgf movement in a path at an angle to said feed member, each'of'said members being slid ably mounted; means between said operat-' ing member and said feedmember for transj mittin g motion from one member to the other and independently actuated mechanism for controlling said latter means whereby the movement of one, of said-members may be discontinued.

5. In a'inechanism' of'the'characte'r described, the comblnation with afeed mem-' ber; of a reciprocating operating member, having movement in apath at an angle to sald feed member; a 'cam connected wlth said operating member; an element conengage said cam when in one of its rela-.

tive positions andsaid straight edge when in another of its relative positions.

7. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a feed member; of an operating member, having movement in a path at an angle to said feed member; a cam and a straight edge upon one of said members occupying different planes in relation to each other; and means for operatively connecting said; feed member and operating member, said means, when engaging said cam, imparting movement to said feedmember in one direction, and having no relative movement with, said operating member:

when engaging said. straight edge.

8. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a feed mem: ber; of an operating member, having movement in a pathv at an angle to said .feed member means COIlllfiCtQClaWlth one of said mcmbers and by reason of its, engagement with the other of said members, transmitting motion from said operating member to said feed member; and means connected with one member and engaging the other. member, when in one of its, positions, whereby the feed member is held against motion in relation to said operating member.

9. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a feed member; of a separably actuated device connected therewith; an operating member having movement in a path at an angleto said feed member; a member connected with said feed member and by engagement with said operating member transmitting motion from said operating member to said feed member; means for actuating said separably actuatable device so that when in one of its positions it will engage said operating member and prevent movement thereof; and means, connected with said operating member, for moving said separably actuatable device. in one direction.

10. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with .a feed member; of an operating member, having moveent in a path at an angle to saidfeed member; a cam and a straight ed e upon one of said members occupying different planes in relation to each other; means for connecting said feed member and operating meniber, said means when engaging said cam, imparting movement to said feed member in one direction, and having no relative movement with said operating member when engaging said straight edge; and mechanism for actuating said means so as to shift its engaging contact from said cam to said straight edge and vice versa.

1L. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a feed member; of a yieldingmember and a non-yielding member connected: therewith; an operating member movable in a path at an angle to said feed member; having a cam and a straight edge thereon; means for actuatingsaid yielding member so that when the same is in engagement with said straight edge there will be no relative movement between said operating and feed members, and when said non-yielding member is in contact with said cam, movement will be imparted to said feed member.

12. In mechanism of the character de scribed, the. combination with a feed member; of a yielding member and a non-yieldingmemberconnected therewith; an operating member movable in a path at an angle to said. feed member, having a cam anda straight edge thereon, the arrangement of said yielding member and. non-yiel ding memb-cr being such that movement is transmit ted to said feed member when said nonyielding member is in contact with said cam and no movement when said yielding mem: ber is-i rcontact with said straight edge.

13. In mechanism of the character described, the, combination with a feed mem ber; of ayielding member. and a non-yielding, member connected therewith; an operating member movable. in a path at an angle to, said teed; member, having a cam and a straight edge thereon; means for actuating said yielding member so that when the same is in engagement with said straight edge there. will; be no relative movement between said operating and feed members, and when said nonyieldi1 1g member is in contact with said cam, movement will be imparted to said feed member; and means for actuating said yieldingmember, comprising a member movable with said operating member and in the pathiof said yielding member when in; one of its positions.

114.. In mechanism. of the character described, the combination with a feed member; ot a yielding member and a non-yield ing memberconnected therewith; an operating member movable in a path at an angle to said teed member, having a cam and a straight edge thereon; meansi'or actuating said yielding, member so that when thesame is in, engagement with said straight edge there will be no relative movement between said operating and feed members-,and when said non-yielding member is in contact with said cam, movement will be imparted to said feed member; means for actuating said yielding member, comprising a member mov- 5 able with said operating member and in the path of said yielding member when in one of its positions; and means for actuating the said member that is movable with said operating member during'the movement of the latter member.

15. In mechanism of the character described, the combination' with a feed member; of a yielding member and a non-yielding member connected therewith; an operating member movable in a path at an angle 9 to said feed member, having a cam and a straight edge thereon; means for actuating said yielding member so that when the same is in engagement with said straight edge there will be no relative movement between said operating and feed members, and when said non-yielding member is in contact with said cam, movement will be imparted to said feed member; means for actuating said yielding member, comprising a trip member movable with said operating member and in the path of said yielding member when in one of its positions; means for actuating said trip member during the movement of said operating member; and independent means for actuating said trip member during the movementof the operating member.

16. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a sliding feed member; of an operating member, having a sliding movement in a path at an angle to said feed .member; reciprocating means connected with one. of said members and self-acting to maintain an operative engage inent with the other of said members for imparting movement to said feed member; means .for maintaining saidreciprocating "means in. an inoperative engagementiwith the aforementioned other member, 'wli by movement, of said feedmember may be discontinued and a; movably; mounted carriermember connected j with said "feed I member 'forcarrying articles to andfrom the operating tools. r V I1 5.0 17L In mechanism of the character describech'the combination with a fe'ed member; of an operating member, having movement in a path at an angle. to said feed member; movable means connected with one of said members and having constant engagement with the othersof said members: means for varying the relative position of said movable means, whereby movement of said feed member may be imparted or discontinued; and a movably mounted carrier member connected with said feed member for carrying articles to and from the oper-' ating tools; and means, whereby the movement of said feed member will impart move ment to said carrier member in relation to said feed member during themovement of the latter. k r 7 18. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a reciprocating driving member, a sliding feed member operatively connectible to said driving member and to which feed member motion is transmitted by said driving member at an angle thereto, and means, comprisinga trip slide and tripping device, for making and breaking an operative connection between said driving and feed members.

19. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a driving member, a reciprocating feed member operated from said driving member, the movement of said feed member being transverse relatively to said driving member, a workpiece carrier operatively associated with said feed member, and independently controlled means whereby a determinable intermittent operation of sald feed member and workpiece carrier is obtained relatively to said driving member.

20. In a feed mechanism, a pair of movable members, one member deriving motion from the other member, means comprising an element carried by one member engaging a surface on the other member for establishing an operative relation between said members, and a trip device carried by the other V of said members for maintaining said element'in an operative position.

21. In a feed mechanism, two movable members, one member imparting motion to the other member, means for establishing an operative relation between said members, said means comprising an element carried by one'member, and operative and inop erative surfaces provided on the other mem- V 1 05 her, and a trip device carried by the latter member whereby said element, in one position of said trip device,is held,outf-of err" gargement with said inoperative" surface,

and in another position ispermitted to 11 0 come into engagerne'nt therewith;

22. In a feed mechanism,v two movable members, one member mpart ng mot on to the other, means for efl'ectlng an operat ve relation between said members, said means comprising a movable element carriedby, one member, a substantially; straight surface and a cam surface 'lying'in different j planes on the other member, and-a movable device, interposed between said members, and said movable device in' one position thereof maintaining said movable element; out of enga ement with said substantially straight sur ce, and in another position is permitted to come into engagement therewith. r

23. In a feed mechanism; two movable members, one member imparting motion to the other, means for effecting an operative relation between said members, said means comprising a movable element carried by one member, operative and inoperative surfaces lying in different planes on the other member, a movable device carried by the latter member, which device in one of its positions lies practically in the same plane as said inoperative surface forming substantially a continuation thereof, and in said position said movable element is held out of engagement with said operative surface, and in another position is permitted to come into engagement therewith, and separably actuatable means for operating and controlling said movable device.

24. In a feed mechanism, a power transmission member, a feed; member having positive motion imparted thereto in one direction by said power member, a tension'dcvice imparting motion to said feed member in an opposite direction, a movable element for making and breaking an operative relation between said members carried byv one member, operative and inoperative engaging surfaces provided on the other member and lying in different planes, a mov-- able device carried by the latter member in one position thereof lying substantially in the same plane as said inoperative surface and permitting engagement of said movable element therewith, in which position of said element, motion to said feed member under said'tension device is not imparted, and sepanbly actuatable means'for operating and controlling said movable device.

25. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a reciprocating power member; feed mechanism, comprising a carrier slide associated with saidpower member and operated thereby; and controlling means, comprising an engaging device, a tripping device, and means for releasing said tripping device whereby said carrier slide is withheld from'operation. by said reciprocating member to render said carrier slide inoperative.

26. In a feed mechanism, a pair of movable members, each moving in a path at an angle to the other, one member constituting a traveling workpiece carrier deriving motion from the other member constituting a power transmit-ting member; and controllable means for establishing an operative relation between said members.

27. In a feed mechanism, a plurality of movable members, comprising respectively a power transmitting member, a carrying member and an independently actuated controlling member,- said carrying member deriving motion from the power member at an angle thereto; means carried by one of the latter members, the relative position of which means effects an operative or inoperative relation between the same members; and a device carried by the other of said members and actuated by said controlling member, whereby said relative position of said means is determined.

28. In a feed mechanism, a pair of movable members, one member deriving motion from the other member; a cam device having substantially straight and angular pon tions provided on one of said members for establishing an operative relation between said members; a device carried by the other of said members alternately engaging said angular and straight portions of said cam device and when engaging said? angular portion determining SZLlCl operative rela tion; and a third movable member for controlling said device.

29. In a feed mechanlsm, a pair of movable members capable of sliding independently of each other, one member imparting transverse motion tothe other member; means comprising a cam surface and a device carried by one of said members for establishing "an operative relation between said members; and a trip element movable so as to maintainsaid device in an engaged or operative position relatively to said cam surface, whereby said operative relation is determined.

30. In a feed mechanism, a pair of movable members, one member sliding transversely relatively to the other and deriving motion therefrom; engaging means carried by one member cooperating with means on the other member for determining operativ'e or inoperative relation between said members; and an independently actuated trip device carried by one of said members for maintaining said engaging means in an operative position. 7

31. Ina feed mechanism, a plurality of movable members, one member deriving motion from the other member, a cam surface provided on one of said members; means operated by one member engaging the cam surface on the other member for establishing an operative relation between said members; 'a trip device for 'saidmeans carried by one of said members for maintainin said engaging means in an operative position; and an independently operatable third member controlling said trip device.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

RICHARD LESTER wrLcoX.

hereunto I Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents; Washington, D. 01 

